Logically, the Oilers would be best off trading Hemsky while he is still desirable for other teams. He is at the point in his career where he is well into his prime, he will be 27 this upcoming season, he has an affordable cap hit for two more years and the Oilers aren't going
anywhere with or without him any time soon. It's unlikely Hemsky will re-up his contract with the Oilers without demanding hi-way robbery.
Due to the fact that the fans in Edmonton have not had a star player since the dawn of time they made one out of Hemsky and clung onto that notion. However, I've countered that and have been advocating for years that Hemsky is an over rated player.
I never jumped the Hemsky band wagon for many reasons:
1. I don't like his attitude. He's a me first type of player. He hides in the players locker room after each game so he can dodge the media. He's not fan friendly nor contributes anything to this city, outside the rink.2. He's a defensive liability. There is no excuse for a guy like Horcoff to take first line minutes so the coaching staff can feel comfortable having a babysitter for Hemsky's lack of defensive interest. Remember when Mactavish encouraged a 2 way game - Hemsky had a tantrum and went to the media crying fowl. ( Pavel Datsyuk is a fantastic player by the way)
3. He's predictable. It's typical to see Hemsky rush the zone, great traffic in front of the net but instead circle the half boards and look for an open defense-man. Also, what the hell is with the constant puck between the legs move that never seems to work for him? Pond Hockey Hemsky is the nickname I've given him.
4. He won't shoot on traffic. He likes to have full view of the net; but the goaltender also has full view of the shot.
5. He's injured way too often.
6. He's never cracked 25 goals.
7. He puts his team mates offside way too often. That's beyond a puck hog, that's just being a fucking idiot.
8. He has never found real chemistry with anyone. It has not been the lack of effort by management either, he has had quality wingers - good enough for Hemsky to get it done anyways.
9. Then there are Hemsky's more recent comment about having "all the cards" when he becomes a free agent in two years. That doesn't sound like a player committed to the Oilers.
10. We've been waiting for his "breakout" season for what, 4 or 5 years now?
I know I'm going to get razzed for this post, as for every anti Hemsky fan there are a dozen pro Hemsky fans in Edmonton. I do understand Hemsky does bring his qualities. He's a hell of a play maker, a power play specialist and he has good speed. He has spent time in the top 15 for points when he was healthy last season, but I must add - he was the only minus player in that top 15.
There is more to an argument then just saying "he's our best player". This is the fucking Oilers for christ sakes, they were last place this past season. I don't care if you think he is our best player - because I don't think he is and guess what, I don't think Tambellini does either....
“You can debate whether or not [Hemsky]’s our best player, but he’s our most skilled player for sure.”
and it's no coincidence that Tambellini followed up with positive comments in regards to Pavel Datsyuk...
“Tougher means in a lot of different areas. Is Pavel Datsyuk a tough player? He’s a tough player. He’s a tough player because he puts his body in positions where he’s vulnerable physically at times. He’s not a strong man, to punish people, but he’s not afraid to go into areas to get pucks to score goals, to make things happen.”
I believe our future first line right winger goes by the name Jordan Eberle. You can read my views on him here: http://www.etownhockey.com/2010/07/eberle-ready-for-stardom.html and I do fully expect Gilbert Brule to be a capable 2nd line right winger. Obviously this gives the Oilers the option, and if they are serious about a rebuild they should dip into the market and see what is available for Ales Hemsky. A quality defense-man would be ideal.
So there you have it folks. You know my dirty little secret. I'm not on the Hemsky band wagon.
So bring it on!
Your crap that you post on Hockeybuzz is bad enough. You are still an idiot.
ReplyDeleteDon't agree with you on this one. Hemmer is still a value contract when a guy who gets 36 points is worth 2.4 M.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that he doesn't deal with the media and isn't a big deal in the community doesn't make him "me first". If his teammates like him and respect him that's a far bigger deal to me (hockeywise) than if he donates money to a foundation. If you want that from your player you should have kept Ethan Moreau.
We all know his contract is good, that's part of the reason to trade him believe it or not. Its attractive and would fetch a good return. The Oilers aren't desperate for salary cap relief and shouldn't be for the next couple seasons.
ReplyDeleteHey "anonymous", your posts are of great intelligence and may I add mighty brave
of you to huddle behind a computer screen with such a distinctive username. Grow some fucking balls.
If memory serves wasn't Hemmer part of a package Tambo offered to Boston for Seguin? I don't think anyone is untouchable (save Hall) but it all depends on the return coming back. Who could you trade Hemmer for that would be sufficient (read equal) return?
ReplyDeleteI couldnt agree more with the post. Hemmer can show flashes of brilliance, but once out of ever 100 attempts, he actually makes his play work. His value is great, as is Penner. Im all for both of those players packing their bags, and while our prospects are great offensively, we will struggle defensively, so definitely pack them both up and ship them out for a proven d-man and a prospect or two. But in a market of salary caps, its easier said then done. We have Souray (overpaid), Horcoff (overpaid), Hemmer and Penner are not cheap (great contracts and affordable right now), but this isnt Rangers hockey. An entire team needs to be built on a cap, and its not easy to just trade away $20M in contracts.
ReplyDeleteI didnt agree with Tambs packaging up Hemmer and Eberle for Seguin. I mean, Eberle in my opinion, is untouchable until we see what he can do, both on his own and alongside Hall. He will be the heart of the team, the new Smyth, and i can see Eberle wearing the "C" for Edmonton long before Gagner or Horcoff (which the media seems to imply).
And to say that it dosent matter that the player contributes to society, that is a bullshit statement. We are a smaller market that thrives on our sport, and we pride ourselves on the contribution from our athletes. They are paid well and are upheld to a certain standard of community payback. It may not be written in a contract, but most players understand that one simple unwritten rule...
@ rubbertrout
ReplyDeleteA fair return for Hemsky? First off, the teams that make sense: I would look to Boston, Pittsburgh, NYR, and LA.
Boston is dying on the right wing with aging veterans in Recchi and Satan and of course they are deep at centre. Bergeron, Horton, Savard, Krejci, Seguin. How in the world do they plan on getting these guys sufficient ice time? Krejci would be a nice pick up.
Pittsburgh has been looking for that affordable winger who can play with Crosby for years. I'm not sure if Hemsky is that guy, he demands the puck a lot and so should Crosby. But Crosby proved to be a goal scorer last year, and maybe he can play as a more pure sniper role with Hemsky. Jordan Staal would be the guy coming back.
The Rangers don't have much on the right wing. Lots of centres again. What has been happening with Marc Staal, they still haven't signed him. I would look to try and nab Staal. There's even a potential Souray trade with the Rangers that can be had if the Oilers were willing to bring Roszival (stay away from Redden).
The LA Kings didn't get their big fish this off-season in Ilya Kovalchuk. Hemsky isn't at that level by any means but he would look might good on a Smyth, Kopitar and Hemsky line. Try and grab Wayne Simmonds.
And just to throw this out there, Columbus has been a good trading partner. I love Voracek, but that's just dreaming.
@ Raine
ReplyDeleteYou're on crack.
Boston already had a chance at Hemmer for Seguin and they passed. Apparently Penner and Eberle were also in play. Next.
Savard? Really? We want to pick up a guy on the downward slide with a concussion history that gives us less cap flexibility down the road when we know this team is a ways away from contending. Pass. I'd rather trade Hemmer for picks and a bag of pucks as a rental just before the end of his contract or try to resign him.
Are Kreji, Bergeron or Horton a huge upgrade? Didn't Horton just get traded and isn't he under contract until 2013 atr a cap hit of less than Hemmer? Sure the'll trade him. Next. Krejci is younger and cheaper. Next. Bergeron? Please. He's only signed until 2011 for more of a cap hit. We'll trade a guy with two years left on a value contract for a guy with one year left on a less valued contract because we hope we might sign him? Next.
Staal isn't leaving the Rangers. Even if he is I'd rather have Hemmer. Next.
Staal isn't leaving the Pens. No way they trade him for Hemmer. Next.
Simmonds for Hemmer? Not even close. You lose big time on that trade even if Hemmer leaves.
These trades wouldn't fly on a EA sports game.
Thanks for the post AdamsOilersFan...
ReplyDeleteI agree completely, this is a smaller market and their are expectations that come from your better players. If we look around the league, we know who the leaders are of the team and the attributions they bring on and off the ice. This is what we need, and this is the identity the fans can relate to. It's safe to say that we don't know what the Oilers identity is right now. Tambellini has been working hard at bringing in a new attitude in the dressing room and sending the poor attitudes out the door - he wants players who want to be here.
@rubbertrout
"If his teammates like him and respect him that's a far bigger deal to me..."
If the players indeed do fully look up to Hemsky; I'm worried. Hemsky's work ethic has been questioned a number of times. It's been brought up that he's usually the last guy out on the ice for practice and the first to get off the ice. Now, if this is your leader on a team full of young guys - this isn't an issue? It's a big issue.
@rubbertrout
ReplyDeleteNo no no. I didn't say to grab Savard, or anyone else other then Krejci. I was simply listing off Boston's clog at centre ice to show they are deep.
Trying to grab Seguin is a different story. Target somebody else, like Krejci, and the Oilers will have better luck.
Obviously a one for one trade doesn't happen very often in the NHL. I'm not getting into the deep end of a potential trade, just the major components of the trade. Simmonds for Hemsky may not be equally balanced, but it's the essence of the trade. The GM's can figure out the 3rd round picks and all the intangible that comes along with a trade. I'm simply giving you an idea of where the possibilities lie in a trade.
ReplyDeleteI think your post is very valid, and I'm a guy who's been preaching patience on Hemsky. I want to see what the guy does with a linemate or two with a name like Hall/Paajarvi/Eberle. This guy's potential is so freaking high, that's the part I hate in considering trading him, but you pointed out MANY weaknesses in his character, for sure, and I think they are all more or less legit. If Hemsky ever finds his heart, look out. He's on par with some of the greats in terms of sheer talent. Unfortunately, in terms of character, well, that's a completely different story. Thing is, athlete's character(s) can change dramatically when the environment changes dramatically. So, in essence, I agree we can trade him, but we'd better make sure we get back something smokin' hot in return. Otherwise, let's see what the first 50 games of this year brings. There's a trade deadline that a guy like him would look awfully good on, and could fetch some serious returns because guys like that aren't usually available.
ReplyDeleteFrankly, maybe I'm not up to snuff, but Hemsky-Penner-Eberle for Seguin? If that was the offer, we offered WAY too much, and if Chiarelli turned that down, he's an idiot. Add two or three of those guys to that Boston team, and they'd unquestionably be the favorites. And, it's not as if Eberle is old, or anything. In fact, his entry level deal will run out about the same time as Seguin's. Wow, am I glad that didn't happen...
The offer to the Bruins is nothing but speculation. Yes Tambellini has said there was an offer on the table...what it consisted, nobody really knows.
ReplyDeleteI can agree, right now may not be the best time to trade Hemsky. See how the season plays, where will the Oilers be in the standings and decide near the trade deadline. For sure.